The Declaration of Independence affirms the right of all Americans to “life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Although universal healthcare is not outright mentioned as one of the “inalienable” rights the Declaration calls for, it is difficult to pursue happiness or to live life to the fullest without adequate health care. Furthermore, the Declaration underscores the importance of equality as an ethical value that defines the nation. If life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and equal rights are the foundational values of the country, then health care most certainly is a basic human right. Education is considered a basic human right, which is why all children in the nation are entitled to a K-12 education regardless of ability to pay. Why healthcare is not structured in the same way as education is perplexing in the world’s most robust economy.
Nurses understand the imperative of providing healthcare for the indigent; we are in fact ethically obliged to do so. The American Nurses Association (2016) stresses the role of the nurse as advocate for patients and communities. Nurses advocate for social justice and human rights, and provide care to all persons regardless of socioeconomic background. The ethical principles that undergird the nursing profession transcend the much pettier ethical norms that govern the free market.
As attractive as it might be to cling to the rights of insurers, pharmaceutical companies, physicians, equipment manufacturers, and all other financial stakeholders in the business of healthcare, nurses know that the right to earn profit is subordinate to the right of persons to access available healthcare services. In fact, the United Nations lists access to medical care as a basic human right (American Nurses Association, 2016). Americans do, however, grasp the way the free market does in fact bolster innovation and scientific progress. Shifting to a rights-based approach to healthcare will entail dramatic, paradigm shifting structural and legal changes that may take generations to manifest (Maruthappu, Ologunde & Gunarajasingam, 2013). Nurses can collaborate with industry stakeholders to come up with win-win solutions that enable profitability and innovation without suppressing the right to health care.
References
American Nurses Association (2016). The nurse’s role in ethics and human rights. Position Statement. https://www.nursingworld.org/~4af078/globalassets/docs/ana/ethics/ethics-and-human-rights-protecting-and-promoting-final-formatted-20161130.pdf
Maruthappu, M., Ologunde, R. & Gunarajasingam, A. (2013). Is health care a right? Annals of Medicine & Surgery 2(1): 15-17.
The Declaration of Independence. (1776). http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/
However, they contradict themselves trough supporting one's right to commit physician-assisted suicide, since this would virtually mean that the individual who is no longer willing to live is not provided with health care meant to prevent him or her from dying (Epstein, 1999, p. 1). Among those opposed to the fact that health care is becoming increasingly better are those who are in their twenties and are obliged to work
Along the way, scholarly resources such as books, peer-reviewed journal articles and reputable websites will be used to create or support the opinions or answers given. The three questions that will be answered will include what basic types of healthcare everyone should have access to and why, a choice from thirteen risk factors that impact infectious disease and a recitation of how nurses can play a part in one
Health Care One of the most contentious social issues in the United States today is the debate over the responsibility of the state to provide basic health care services for its people. Normal Daniels argues that "if social obligations to provide appropriate health care are not met, then individuals are definitely wronged. Injustice is done to them." The essence of Daniels' argument is correct. This paper will extend Daniels' argument using
Universal healthcare is the only saving formula for this nation, which is doomed in a health care crisis of unprecedented proportions. There is a urgent need to transform healthcare from its present state of commercialism towards the humanitarian approach which guarantees 'healthcare for all' independent of their social or financial circumstances. A shared and collective responsibility of healthcare management is the only viable formula for America. It is high
At this point in time, there is growing support for the idea of universal access to healthcare. In fact, President Obama was able to draft and secure the passage of a healthcare law that is the first step towards universal access in the United States. There has been a tremendous amount of opposition to the law, which has resulted in legal challenges to the law. In an article posted by
In their move from a completely government-paid and -- operated healthcare system to a fees-based approach, the Chinese have greatly improved the efficiency, availability, and efficacy of their healthcare system (Wan & Wan 2010). This suggests that a combination of perspectives, rather than the market or single-payer perspectives that form so many healthcare systems, is most effective. There are also, of course, healthcare systems that have developed in the same
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now